Folk Tales of Kumaon
Kalua Kabuchani’s Gatha is one of the examples of folktales of Kumaon passed down orally. It follows a straightforward story line with a simple plot that involves day-to-day situations.
By Anjali Nauriyal
There once lived a young man named Kalua in a faraway village in Kumaon, Uttarakhand. He was slothful and good-for-nothing; did no constructive work and lived a life of lethargy.
The villagers disliked him as he engaged in no work or activity. He stood with no one in his or her difficulty. No one wanted to mix with him and shunned him socially on any celebratory occasion or gathering.
Kalua knew very well that the villagers detested him. He was never fazed or saddened by this fact. Without lifting a finger he would be fed his meals by the villagers, who never wished to be anywhere near him as they considered his presence sinister and weird.
This uncanny man attended all village festivities, gatherings, weddings and the like, unwanted, invited and unwelcome. The moment he was sighted at these events, all faces would become stony and aloof.
It was not so much his forbidding and unpropitious presence that troubled people, but his ominous and discouraging utterances. His words were regarded as inopportune.
No one wished to be anywhere near him. Not a soul wanted to spite him and feared incurring his wrath. For this reason they would feed him well and give him the very same respect that they would give to other guests, and even send him off ceremoniously. They didn’t want him to utter anything gloom-ridden and fatalistic in their presence.
Getting all the attention at various events thrilled Kalua. He lacked the good sense to fathom that the moment he would begin praising any activity or event the villagers would become tense, as they could never guess what negative utterances would flow out of his mouth.
It so happened one day that the village Pradhan bought a cow from a village fair. And to his bad luck, he chanced upon Kalua enroute. The Pradhan was nonplussed seeing Kalua, and began uttering profanities in his mind.
Seeing the Pradhan, Kalua at once struck a conversation. “Where from did you get that cow Pradhanji,” he questioned?
The worse of possibilities began crossing his mind’s landscape. “It’s a good quality breed no doubt,” stated Kalua. Then continued, ”How much did you pay for it? No cost is high for such a beauty. But may I say something. You made a mistake.”
“What mistake?,” the Pradhan uttered in all nervousness.
“You have chosen a wonderful animal. But the narrow path you have chosen to take it home is too dangerous. What if it gets upset and unstable seeing a bird or some such thing? It would slip and fall into the gorge and come to a painful end.”
Hearing Kalua’s words, the Pradhan was totally disheartened. Nursing a heavy heart he began moving ahead with the cow in tow. He had hardly travelled some distance that the cow actually got agitated seeing some animal in flight and became uncontrollable. The harness around the cow’s neck slipped out of the Pradhan’s grip and it fell deep into a gorge.
Seeing Kalua’s words come true angered the Pradhan no end. He recalled a similar incident when a villager had built a new house and had invited the villagers for the house warming ceremony on an auspicious date. That day Kalua as usual had arrived uninvited. The villagers became fearful. They knew that Kalua would have some portentous comments ready for the occasion.
And that’s exactly what happened. Kalua praised the new house. “Malik you have made a wonderful house. It looks better than the best of Havelis. Who would have thought that someone from our village would build such a magnificent home? It is fit to be a King’s residence.”
All remained silent. Food was served and soon it was time to leave. Then Kalua spoke. “I don’t understand why the entrance to this house is so narrow. In case of any unforeseen happening, any tragedy like the death of two people at the same time, it would become difficult to carry their bodies out at the same time.
The owner of the house was dumbfounded listening to Kalua’s words. But before he could retaliate he saw that Kalua had already moved out of the house.
This saved the day for the house owner. Kalua’s words had no impact on his life and Kalua continued to partake in all festivities in the village.
